Modafinil generic brands
This page is a reference summary of published evidence and regulatory documents. It is not a substitute for individual medical advice, and it is not a recommendation to take or avoid any medicine.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sofia Lindqvist, · Last reviewed 11 August 2026
Modafinil and its enantiomer armodafinil are sold under several brand names by different manufacturers. The active molecule and its basic pharmacology are the same across brands; what differs is the manufacturer, the regulatory jurisdiction under which each product is approved, and the excipients used in the tablet.
On this page
Why one molecule has many names
“Modafinil” is the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) for the molecule — the generic scientific name used regardless of manufacturer. A brand name is a trademark a specific company applies to its own formulation. Once a molecule’s patent protection lapses, multiple manufacturers can legally produce and brand it under different names in different markets, which is why the same active ingredient appears under many labels worldwide.
Products by molecule and manufacturer
| Brand | Molecule | Manufacturer | Common tablet strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provigil | Modafinil | Originally Cephalon; now Teva | 100mg, 200mg |
| Modalert | Modafinil | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries | 100mg, 200mg |
| Modvigil | Modafinil | HAB Pharmaceuticals | 100mg, 200mg |
| Nuvigil | Armodafinil | Originally Cephalon; now Teva | 150mg, 250mg |
| Waklert | Armodafinil | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries | 150mg |
| Artvigil | Armodafinil | HAB Pharmaceuticals | 150mg |
Same molecule, same pharmacology
The mechanism of action, half-life and dose-response relationship of modafinil are properties of the molecule, not the brand. A 200mg dose of modafinil from any of these manufacturers delivers the same active substance at the same nominal dose.
What differs between manufacturers
What can differ is the inactive ingredients (excipients) used to bind and coat the tablet, the regulatory jurisdiction the product is approved in, the bioequivalence standard it was tested against to gain approval, and the manufacturing inspection regime it operates under.
Products approved by stringent regulators, such as the FDA, MHRA, or Health Canada, undergo bioequivalence testing against a reference product as a condition of approval. Products manufactured for markets with different regulatory frameworks are not necessarily tested against that same standard, which is a difference in regulatory pathway rather than a claim about any specific manufacturer’s quality.
Prescription status
All of the products listed above are prescription medicines in the jurisdictions where they are formally approved for sale. See the legal status page for how prescription requirements and controlled-substance scheduling vary by country.
Are Modalert and Provigil the same drug?
The active molecule is the same — modafinil — but they are made by different manufacturers under different brand names and regulatory approvals.
What is the difference between modafinil and armodafinil brands?
Armodafinil is the single R-enantiomer of modafinil, sold as Nuvigil, Waklert and Artvigil; modafinil is the racemic mixture, sold as Provigil, Modalert and Modvigil.
Are generic modafinil brands as effective as Provigil?
Products approved by a stringent regulator against bioequivalence standards are expected to perform comparably; products outside that regulatory framework have not necessarily been assessed against the same standard.
Why do doses differ between brands?
Modafinil products are commonly sold as 100mg and 200mg tablets, while armodafinil products are commonly sold as 150mg tablets, reflecting the different typical dosing of the two molecules rather than a difference in potency per milligram between brands.